Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maintaining the heart rate of a user of a fitness apparatus at a scheduled target rate by varying the resistance of a first resistance mechanism with respect to a second resistance mechanism. To increase the heart rate, the resistance of the first resistance mechanism is increased to a maximum level before an adjustment is made to the second resistance mechanism. To decrease the heart rate, the resistance of the second resistance mechanism is decreased to a minimum level before an adjustment is made to the first resistance mechanism. The invention may be incorporated into a treadmill having resistance mechanisms including a mechanism to vary the speed of the treadmill belt and a mechanism to vary the grade of the treadmill.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of setting maximum resistance levels in a fitness apparatus comprising the steps of, providing a fitness apparatus including first and second resistance mechanisms, a heart rate sensor, a first resistance sensor, a second resistance sensor, comparison circuitry, and a processor coupled to the comparison circuitry, the heart rate sensor, and the first and second resistance sensors; and setting maximum resistance levels of the first and second resistance mechanisms in accordance with a predetermined heart rate by (a) sensing the heart rate of the user while sensing resistance levels of the first and second resistance mechanisms; (b) comparing the sensed heart rate with the predetermined target rate; and (c) determining maximum resistance levels for the first and second resistance mechanisms based upon the resistance levels when the sensed heart rate equals or exceeds the predetermined target heart rate. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first resistance mechanism is a treadmill belt speed, and the step of determining maximum resistance level for the first resistance mechanism includes the step of measuring the treadmill belt speed when the sensed heart rate equals or exceeds the predetermined target heart rate. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the maximum resistance level for the first resistance mechanism is set to the measured belt speed if the measured belt speed is five miles per hour or less, and is set to the measured belt speed plus one mile per hour if the measured belt speed is greater than five miles per hour. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first resistance mechanism is a treadmill grade, and the step of determining maximum resistance level for the second resistance mechanism includes the step of measuring the grade when the sensed heart rate equals or exceeds the predetermined target heart rate. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4 wherein the maximum resistance level for the second resistance mechanism is set to the measured grade plus four percent. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 4 wherein the maximum resistance level for the second resistance is zero grade if the measured grade is zero when the sensed heart rate equals or exceeds the predetermined target heart rate. 
     
     
       7. In a treadmill having a variable belt speed and a variable grade, an apparatus for setting a maximum speed and a maximum grade, comprising, means for receiving a predetermined target heart rate, a heart rate sensor for sensing the heart rate of the user and providing a sensed heart rate value corresponding thereto, a speed sensor for sensing the belt speed and providing a current speed value corresponding thereto, a grade sensor for sensing the grade and providing a current grade value corresponding thereto, comparison circuitry for comparing the sensed heart rate with the predetermined target rate and for providing a signal when the sensed heart rate equals or exceeds the predetermined target heart rate, and a processor, the processor connected to the comparison circuitry to set a maximum speed based on the current speed value and a maximum grade based on the current grade value upon receipt of the signal. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processor sets the maximum speed to the current sensed speed if the sensed speed is five miles per hour or less. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processor sets the maximum speed to the current sensed speed plus one mile per hour if the sensed speed is greater than five miles per hour. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processor sets the maximum grade to the current sensed grade. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processor sets the maximum grade to the current sensed grade plus four percent.